Are you looking for information on sociopathic behavior symptoms? This story should give you some insight into the convoluted mind of a sociopath and the signs to spot one.
Sociopathy is one of the many personality disorders, also referred to as psychopathy or antisocial personality disorder (APD). The American Psychiatrics Association (APA) defines APD as "A pervasive pattern of disregard for, or violation of, the rights of others."
Symptoms of this disorder may show from as early as the teenage years, although a diagnosis can only be made after the age of 18 on presentation of documented evidence of misconduct before the individual is 15.
The symptoms can manifest themselves in many ways, though there are certain traits that people with this mental disorder have a tendency to exhibit.
Causes
The exact cause of APD is not known, though there are a number of theories that have been put forward.
In the vein of "nature versus nurture", some believe that sociopathy is caused by a genetic disorder and is likely to exhibit in the offspring of these individuals (nature), while other theories believe that childhood abuse or neglect can give rise to these tendencies in adults (nurture).
While the causes are still difficult to ascertain, it is likely that the symptoms will be more evident if the child is brought up in surroundings of abuse and neglect. Victims of child abuse exhibit a higher likelihood of turning into abusive adults themselves, though a sociopath may use this very tendency to garner sympathy in his/her relationships.
Symptoms
Sociopaths are people who are capable of deception to an extent that most normal people cannot even comprehend. They are remorseless, manipulative, and have a complete lack of conscience. Typically, following are the classic symptoms of a sociopath, though the list below is by no means exhaustive.
Superficial Charm:
One of the symptoms of a sociopath is exhibiting superficial charm. Many individuals with this disorder exhibit surface charm that masks their real nature. They are often very good conversationalists, with an innate skill to talk themselves out of tight spots.
Pathological Lying:
A sociopath is most likely to be a compulsive liar or a con artist who will deceive without compunction. Such a person can lie with complete confidence and some have been known to even pass lie detector tests.
Absence of Regret, Remorse, or Shame:
Sociopathic characteristics include the inability to comprehend the emotions of guilt, shame, or remorse at their behavior and its effects on other people. These people are incapable of feeling any attachment to others and will use people for personal gain without the slightest feeling of guilt.
Juvenile Delinquency:
Many people diagnosed with APD will have exhibited violent and/or criminal behavior as adolescents. Juvenile delinquency is one of the factors considered as a symptom when diagnosing a sociopathic adult.
Egocentric, Narcissistic, Inflated Sense of Self:
People with sociopathic tendencies live with a deep-seated sense of superiority. They perceive themselves as overly important, to the extent that they exhibit rampant disregard for societal welfare.
Manipulative:
Most sociopaths will use their manipulative skills to get their own way. They may exhibit behavior that seems to indicate care or love for somebody, but this is just an act, and their victims the means to an end.
Disregard for Societal Norms:
Typically, sociopathic traits include exhibiting scorn and contempt towards the society, and societal obligations and commitments mean nothing to these people.
Many are able to get jobs with ease, but are unable to hold one down because of erratic behavior, absence, and complete disregard for ethics. Many will rack up debt, have bad credit ratings, and take loans they have no intention of repaying.
Impulsive and Irresponsible:
These are people who will make split second decisions on a whim, without any thought to the consequences of their actions. People who are in relationships with sociopaths can be left repeatedly bewildered by jobs left, sudden disappearances, and a complete lack of responsibility.
Furthermore, most sociopaths may also exhibit the following behavioral traits:
Shallow emotions, incapacity for affection
Substance abuse
Promiscuity, sexually abusive behavior, and even pedophilia
Cruelty towards animals
Disdain towards people who attempt to understand them
Treatment
Even though the causes of APD are not clear, these are tendencies that are essentially a part of the person's personality and therefore they cannot be curbed or prevented. These traits can only be dealt with by undergoing treatment.
The treatment for overcoming sociopathy is difficult, mainly because many are unable to see that they suffer from a disorder and will resist aid. A person suffering from APD may also perceive the individual treating him/her as just another person to manipulate.
Treatment through medication is also not recommended because of the likelihood that a sociopath may either not take prescribed medication or manipulate the therapist into prescribing drugs that can be abused.
One-on-one therapy sessions may be effective over time, but this could also be because sociopaths tend to mellow with age, exhibiting extreme behavior in their early twenties, which reduces through the thirties and forties.
However, there is still the possibility that treatment will be completely ineffective, as the sociopath's innate inability to grasp that he/she is mentally ill will act as a stumbling block that will come up against successful rehabilitation.
Sociopaths can be difficult for a layman to identify, and you may well be a victim that will fall prey to their manipulative and scheming personality.
They live, con, and manipulate their way through life. So, understanding the symptoms of sociopathy will help you recognize the characteristic traits and guard against setting yourself up for a disaster.